Human Rights Day, 10th December

Human Rights Day commemorates the momentous occasion when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the 10th of December, 1948.

Human Rights Day was officially inaugurated in 1950 when the General Assembly declared, through Resolution 423(V), that all states and international organisations should celebrate the continual advancement of Human Rights.

 Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt of the United States holding a Declaration of Human Rights poster in English. [November 1949]


The purpose of Human Rights Day is to provide the opportunity celebrate Human Rights and our achievements, recognise ongoing issues and specific areas that require our focused attention. Each Year a topical issue is emphasised and the total enjoyment of human rights by everyone in the world is advocated; this year will highlight the rights of all people - youth, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, minorities, the poor and marginalised - and allow their voices to be publicly heard and influence political decision-making.

To Celebrate the Occasion a High-level event will be held at the United Nations at 3:30pm today, where an interactive discussion on the role of “Leadership in the Fight Against Homophobia” will happen among Human Rights Defenders from Argentina, Ukraine and Malawi. The Secretary General will also make some remarks, as well as the Minister for Women’s Rights, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem.

Other participants include: 

- H.E. Herman Schaper, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the UN;

- Yvonne Chaka Chaka (the “Princess of Africa”), South African musician, singer and campaigner;

- Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (via video);

- Blas Radi, LGBT human rights defender, Argentina;

-Olena Schvechenko, LGBT human rights defender, Ukraine;

- Gift Tranpence, LGBT human rights defender, Malawi


Related UN Resources:

UN Declaration on minority rights

2012 marks 20 years of the declaration on minority rights.  Submitted under resolution  A/RES/47/135 , the UN Declaration  ushered in a new era by setting essential standards for protection and offers guidance to States as they seek to realize the  of minorities

More information is available at:  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Minorities2012/Pages/minorityrights2012.aspx